Q 01/05

In which year did the first Times Square ball drop take place, on 31 December, after the city banned the Times' fireworks?

A) 1907

B) 1899

C) 1904

D) 1912

Answer · why

A) 1907

1907, on the New Year's Eve welcoming 1908, after the city banned the rooftop fireworks the Times had staged since 1904. The first ball was iron and w...

Q 02/05

How much does the Waterford Crystal Times Square ball unveiled in 2008 weigh?

A) 5,386 pounds

B) 11,875 pounds

C) 8,250 pounds

D) 3,200 pounds

Answer · why

B) 11,875 pounds

The 12-foot Waterford Crystal ball unveiled for 2008-09 weighs 11,875 pounds (about 5,386 kg) and is covered with 2,688 crystal triangles.

Q 03/05

In which two years did wartime 'dimout' rules mean the Times Square ball did not drop?

A) 1917 and 1918

B) 1941 and 1942

C) 1942 and 1943

D) 1943 and 1944

Answer · why

C) 1942 and 1943

Crowds still packed Times Square in 1942 and 1943, but marked midnight with a moment of silence and chimes from sound trucks instead of a lit ball.

Q 04/05

Approximately how many people gather in Times Square each year for the New Year's Eve celebration?

A) About 1 million

B) About 500,000

C) About 2 million

D) About 3 million

Answer · why

A) About 1 million

Approximately 1 million people crowd into Times Square each New Year's Eve, with an estimated 1 billion more watching on television worldwide.

Q 05/05

Which TV host created 'New Year's Rockin' Eve' in 1972 and fronted it until his death in 2012?

A) Ryan Seacrest

B) Guy Lombardo

C) Carson Daly

D) Dick Clark

Answer · why

D) Dick Clark

Dick Clark created the special in 1972; after a 2004 stroke he handed main hosting to Ryan Seacrest but kept the midnight countdown himself until his ...